A/N This is my second fanfic, for those of you that have not read my first one i will say again that i am writting so that i can beta-read. As of now, im not planning on continuing this story, if enough people like it than i will continue but im not gonna waste time writting a story nobody wants to read. This picks up right at the end of Brisingr, and would continue to be a book 4 fic.
Disclaimer- I do not own the Inheritance Cycle, and im pretty sure you would all laugh at me if i said i did so ill save myself the humiliation.
A New Home
Eragon let out a grunt as he heaved a large wooden beam into place. It had been a week since the Varden conquered Feinster, and Eragon had spent every day helping to fortify the city.
He, along with the help of Arya and Trianna, had managed to sever Lady Lorana's oaths to Galbatorix and immediately after being freed of her bonds to the Black King, she had joined the Varden's cause. Feinster was currently in ruins, nearly every house had been destroyed and any buildings that had remained, for the most part, intact were deemed unfit to live in.
Lady Lorana had given the city to Nasuada to use as the primary stronghold for the Varden, asking only that the civilians be given a safe place to take up residence. King Orrin happily obliged, and set up a relief camp within the borders of Surda.
With the women and children out of the way, the soldiers had worked non-stop hauling the charred wood and rubble outside of the walls. Any items that could be salvaged were brought to the town square and inspected by the Surdan engineers. After three days of back-breaking labor, the city was barren except for the walls with a rather large pile of materials strewn in the center. Even the keep had been torn down in order to create a new one capable of housing the many important men and woman of the Varden.
Two days later it had been completed, located along the western walls overlooking the sea. It was much larger then the previous one and contained many new features, such as the impressive court room where any decisions regarding the Varden were discussed. Nasuada had even convinced the engineers to create a dragon hold with small rooms to accommodate dragons and their riders, much to Saphira's pleasure.
Since then Eragon and the other men had begun to construct the barracks, training fields, hospitals and other such buildings that would make up the remainder of the city. Eragon spent all of his time working on the Varden's new home, and had not spoken to anyone since the battle aside from the soldiers aiding him in his tasks.
Finally, after seven days of constant labor, he decided to take a break and relax his weary muscles. Saphira?
Yes Little One?
Can you come pick me up? I need a break and we haven't flown together in ages.
Her chuckling filled his head before she responded, Yes Eragon I will be there shortly.
Eragon closed his eyes, deep in thought, and passed a hand through his matted hair. Ugh, he exclaimed, I need a bath.
Yes you do Little One. Your lucky Arya hasn't seen you lately, I'm quite sure she would find your appearance as repulsive as I do. She said in a voice filled with her gentle teasing.
He felt his face redden at the mention of the beautiful elf, as Saphira landed next to him with a dull thud. Your one to talk, your scales are so dirty I almost mistook you for a brown dragon!
She snorted in mock indignation, and gingerly picked him up with her teeth placing him on the saddle. Well it's a good thing you're coming with me then, I'll have someone to scrub my hide. Laughing at the Eragon's obvious displeasure, she took to the skies looking for a river to deep enough to bathe in. She sighed as she took in the desert landscape beneath her, We're going to have to go all the way to the Jiet River, I'm glad you decided to take a break because we'll be gone for the remainder of the day.
Eragon let out a snort of exasperation, Why can't we just bathe in the sea? When I said I wanted a break I didn't mean I wanted to spend the day in search of a good place to take a bath.
Saphira chuckled at his impatience, staying on course for the Jiet River. Because you are taking a bath to get clean, I'll not have you stinking of salt, covered in sand and seaweed.
He sighed but didn't complain anymore, instead he allowed his mind to wander and soon found himself thinking of Arya. He hadn't talked to her since after that battle; he hadn't even seen her for that matter. After explaining to her and Nasuada the deaths of Oromis and Glaedr, and the Eldunari, the source of Galbatorix's power, she had disappeared. He had planned on speaking with her and Roran after the battle but there was too much work to do, and he had not had the time.
Little One, Saphira said, dragging him out of his thoughts. We are here.
Jumping out of the saddle, he dove straight into the river splashing Saphira's scales. He resurfaced and swam to the shore, stepping out of his soaking wet clothes and hanging them on a nearby willow tree. As he turned back he noticed Saphira dive into the deep water, and he jumped in after her, grasping her tail just before it disappeared.
She pulled him under, swimming along the river bed and occasionally snapping at passing fish. He loved the feeling of the water rushing through his hair and over his body as he was pulled along at a break-neck pace. The water continued to rush past him, and he squealed in alarm when a fish got tangled in his hair. After about a three minutes he couldn't take it anymore, Go up Saphira, I'm almost outt'a breath.
Saphira laughed through their mental link, but instead of surfacing she lifted her tail above the water. Gasping for air as he emerged from the water, he allowed his legs to trail behind him in the river while she continued to swim. The wind rushing across his body as he sped above the water quickly air dried him and after a few minutes Saphira swam up from the river bed and over to shallower water where she could stand.
Alright Eragon, I helped you clean up, now you can help me.
Eragon groaned at the prospect of scrubbing her scales, Saphira can't you just use your tongue? Your enormous, we'll be here all day if I have to do it by hand! He complained as he jumped off her back and began treading water beside her. Just as he reached up to rub her scales a massive weight pulled him under the water and held him in place. Squirming against the iron grip, he attempted to wriggle free of his captor. There was a scaled blue tail wrapped around his midsection and holding his arms against his sides. Saphira! Let me go now!
No, I think not.
What! What the hell did I do?
Eragon, I do not take kindly to insults about my size and I'm quite sure most females are of the same opinion. She stated in an accusing tone.
Eragon released a snort of disbelief before replying, Saphira you're a dragon! You are enormous, and I thought dragons took pride in their size. It's not like I called you fat.
He could feel her hesitation as she pondered his words. Reluctantly, she raised her tail back above the water and released Eragon from her grasp. Very well, but you will still clean my scales for me.
Eragon sighed and set to work, gently rubbing the dirt and grime from her scales while she hummed in pleasure. It took the better part of an hour, but when she was finally clean she carried Eragon back to the shore and waited for him to dress. He pulled on his tunic and trousers and scrambled up her side and into the saddle. Tensing her muscles, she leapt into the air and with one mighty flap of her wings they set of into the night.
******
Eragon awoke the next morning, tucked away beneath Saphira's leathery wing. Sunlight shone through the thin membrane from a nearby window, covering him in a blue glow. Slowly, so as not to disturb her sleep, he slipped out from behind the wing and shuddered as the cool air enveloped his body. He yawned, stretching like a cat and made his way over to the window to observe the progress of the cities reconstruction. To his amazement, the buildings were complete. In the distance, his elfin eyes could see the furniture and other materials and equipment being brought in through the front gate but the buildings themselves were finally complete.
He slid into some of his less expensive clothes and made his way down the stairs. Exiting the door of the dragon hold, he took in a deep breath of fresh air and set off towards the mess hall.
As he walked through the halls of the keep, servants would bow to him muttering "Shadeslayer," or "Argetlam". He would nod in acknowledgement but his mind was elsewhere, marveling at the speed in which the Varden was able to establish a new home for themselves. The location was perfect as well, he realized, they were now in the southern part of the Empire allowing progress to move along much faster. They would not have to retreat back to Surda or the Beors after attacks which would save time and energy, but they were close enough to receive reinforcements in time should they come under attack.
As he entered the mess hall Nasuada's voice brought him back to reality, "Eragon! Come, sit. We have much to discuss."
He glanced up to a large table at the far end of the room. Nasuada sat there smiling at him, and waiving him over. Roran and Katrina sat to her left, laughing and talking with Orik, who sat across from them. Orrin sat to her right along with Jormundur and some other nobles whom Eragon did not know. He walked over to the table, looking for a place to sit down. The only open seat was between Roran and Arya.
"Ah cousin, how are you? I haven't seen you since the battle!" Roran exclaimed, patting him on the back as he sat. Arya gave a brisk nod of her head in greeting and returned to her meal. Her lack of enthusiasm cut into Eragon like a dagger, but he hid his hurt behind an emotionless mask and luckily nobody seemed to notice.
"Roran! It has been much too long. In fact, if you could spare the time today I'd like to spend some together, with you as well of course, Katrina." She smiled at him and they both nodded their heads in agreement. Turning towards Nasuada, he asked "How much more work is there to be done around here, until the stronghold will be complete?"
"Well all in all we are nearly done. You however, have a great deal more to do today since you decided to take the day off yesterday." She replied, with a mischievous glint in her eye.
He laughed, and was about to reply before King Orrin cut him off. "Shadeslayer, you have been working?" he asked incredulously. "You should have been enjoying some time off like the rest of us! You need a break from this bloody war more than any man here!"
Everyone at the table had stopped their conversations and stared at him, interested in his response. Everyone, that is, except for Arya who had, it seemed, decided that King Orrin was quite pleasant to look at. "Well Orrin, I was glad to help as much as I could. Although you are correct, which is why I decided to spend yesterday with Saphira."
Orrin snorted in response, obviously displeased with his answer, and returned to discussing something with the various nobles seated around him. As everyone else begun to return to personal conversations, Eragon took the chance to begin his breakfast. Eyeing the food on the table, he selected an apple, bread and about a dozen strawberries, plopping them down on his plate. He continued to joke with Roran and occasionally Nasuada and Katrina, but Arya had yet to speak to him and it was slowly eating away at him. Making up his mind he decided to start up some small talk.
He turned to face her, and she glance up from her plate with a look in her eyes that clearly said 'turn around', but he ignored it and asked anyway. "What have you been doing all week Arya?"
She glared furiously at him, and he heard Saphira's laughing voice in the back of his head, If looks could kill. He allowed his amusement to seep through their mental link, and awaited her response. Unfortunately he didn't get one. Arya stood up and walked away, her anger only visible through her clenched fists at her sides. He stared after her disappearing form bewildered, before asking Saphira, What did I say?
Her laughter filled his head as she replied, It's not what you said Eragon; it's that you said something at all. You know as well as I that she clearly did not want to talk and you ignored her. Little One, you are hopeless with women.
No I'm not! Nasuada and Katrina both like me, as do you, and the four of you are the only women I've ever tried to get to know.
Saphira snorted, We are your friends Eragon. I meant you are a hopeless romantic. I will tell you this now, although I shouldn't have to, for Arya and for any other woman you might fancy in the future. Ignoring a woman's request and doing the opposite of what she wants will pretty much guarantee that they won't be returning your feelings. Aside from that, one of Arya's main arguments against your love is your immaturity, and a mature man would realize that she didn't want to talk and would have brought it up later.
Eragon stared down at his feet as the truth in Saphira's words washed over him. In an attempt to lighten the mood she added, And let's face it, I kind of have to like you.
He smiled half-heartedly, I'm going to take a walk, I'll be back in a few hours. With that he cut off their connection and headed to the city gates, dragging his body along in a very un-elf like manner. As he stepped past the walls he began to run through the country side, stopping on a small hill a few miles outside the city. He sat down and allowed his conscience drift out across the land, loosing himself in his troublesome thoughts.
A/N once again, i hope it was worth your time, if you want me to keep writting it review and let me know. if i get enough i can have the next 2 chapters up by this weekend. also if you want me to keep going suggestions would be great. Constructive criticism is welcome and if you feel the need to scream and rant about how awful i am go for it, im sure i would find it amusing.